Istanbul Bilgi University (BILGI), founded in 1996, is one of Turkey's largest private universities. The university is recognized as a pioneer in providing a liberal arts curriculum in Turkey. Bilgi joined the Laureate International Universities network in 2006. The school has three campuses in the heart of Istanbul, providing more than 14,000 students with a range of social and cultural activities that create a vibrant university life. Istanbul Bilgi University is a not-for-profit institution. All of the university’s undergraduate degree programs and most of its graduate degree programs are delivered in English.

More than 12,100 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture, arts and sciences, communication, economics, engineering, health sciences, law and vocational studies. BILGI’s programs in law, communications, visual arts and visual communication design are among its strongest.

BILGI offers the first dual-degree program approved by the London School of Economics and the only dual-degree programs in Turkey with the University of Liverpool.

BILGI's e-MBA program in English and Turkish is the first online program accredited by the Turkish Council of Higher Education.

The university maintains several research centers, including the Center for Applied Research in Arts, Culture and Museology; Human Rights Law Research Center; Marine Law Research Center; IT Law Research Center; Social, Economic and Political Research Center; and Center for Migration Research.

BILGI operates under the aegis of the Turkish Higher Education Council and is a participant in the Bologna process. Its English Preparatory School is accredited by EQUALS.

Istanbul Bilgi University offers learning programs for residents of local communities. The university works in conjunction with the International Youth Foundation and the Sylvan/Laureate Foundation to offer the Young Social Entrepreneurs @ BILGI award, which provides support for Turkey’s young social entrepreneurs. BILGI signed the United Nations Global Compact and has joined the UN Global Compact working group on higher education. BILGI is launching a program to raise awareness among students of their responsibility to society.

Istanbul Bilgi University ranks third among private foundation universities in Turkey for its undergraduate placement, according to the 2011 National Student Selection and Placement Center (National Exam Center). BILGI is ranked among the top 10 institutions of higher education in Turkey, according to Webometrics. Its law school is ranked among the nation’s top three. BILGI faculty and alumni have been honored with World Bank and OECD Global Development Learning Network recognition, American Academy of Achievement Award, Cannes Lions Young Entrepreneurs Award and Restfest Film and Digital Arts Festival Award.

BILGI's Dolapdere campus received the 2002 Structure and Life Architecture Award and the 2005 European Award for Steel Structure.